Essential car maintenance for beginners
Whether you’ve just passed your driving test or you’re an experienced driver, it’s never too late to learn some essential car maintenance.
Maybe you’ve been putting it off because you don’t know where to begin…but it really is easier than you might think!
Take a look at our car maintenance tips for beginners and take pride in doing those essential jobs yourself to keep your car roadworthy.
Keep an eye on fuel levels
Basic car maintenance for beginners starts with the obvious: make sure you have enough fuel for your journey ahead.
It’s especially important to check your fuel levels before you set off on a long journey and to know where you can top up on the way.
Driving carefully to conserve fuel should also be part of keeping your car in top condition. You can do this by:
- Driving in the highest gear you can while keeping within the speed limit
- Accelerating gently
- Removing your roof rack and box when you’re not using them. They create wind resistance and mean that your car will use more fuel
- Only using your AC and heating systems when you really need them
- Not keeping heavy items in your boot, as the extra weight will adversely affect fuel consumption
Check your oil levels
You should check the oil levels in your car roughly once every two weeks and before a long journey to avoid damaging your engine. To do this:
- Lift up the bonnet and locate the dipstick (make sure the engine is cool before you start).
- Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a rag to remove excess oil.
- Put it back and remove it again.
- Now check where the oil level is. It should be above the minimum level and nearer to the maximum level.
- If it’s sitting too low, top up your engine with oil.
Keep tyres in good condition
Give your tyres some TLC to ensure maximum performance and safety.
Know the correct pressure for your tyres, which you’ll find in your vehicle handbook. Check your tyres on a fortnightly basis when they are cold – you can do this at any service station using a digital air pump, which will automatically inflate to the desired pressure.
Don’t forget to check your spare tyre on a regular basis too…you never know when you will need it!
When you check the pressures, take the opportunity to also check whether your tyres are worn – they shouldn’t drop below 1.5 mm.
You can do this easily by using a 20-cent coin. Insert it into one of the central grooves that run around the circumference of each tyre. If the tread doesn’t meet the bill of the platypus, it means the tyre has less than 3 mm of tread left. Get it changed before it gets too worn and dangerously close to the legal limit.
Keep cool!
You will also need to check your car’s coolant level. This is important, as coolant stops your engine from overheating and your car potentially breaking down. To do this:
- Make sure your engine is cool before you start.
- Consult your vehicle’s handbook to know where the coolant tank is located.
- Check that the coolant level is between the minimum and maximum marks on the side of the tank.
- Top up with coolant as necessary.
Safety first
Last but not least, don’t forget to keep a first aid kit for a car inside your vehicle. While the last thing you want to be involved in is an accident, it’s good to know that you have the ability to deal with minor cuts and injuries should the worst happen.
A car first aid kit will contain all the medical supplies you need, including dressings, wipes, saline solution and bandages, as well as road safety items like a safety warning triangle and a high-visibility vest to help you in case of vehicle breakdown.
Make it part of your routine to check that your first aid kit is fully stocked and order first aid kit refills before you run low on essential items.
Why not keep a supply of hand sanitiser in your car as well so that you can keep your hands clean and germ-free even when you’re on the move?
Get every base covered!
Car maintenance for beginners doesn’t have to be difficult. By keeping to a simple routine, you can manage most of the basic tasks yourself at home. Remember to keep your car regularly serviced by the experts too so that you prolong its life and ensure that it’s safe to drive.
And when it comes to safety, it’s best to get every base covered. Make sure you have a first aid kit for your car replenished and in an accessible place.
We’ve made it easy by stocking a selection of vehicle first aid kits, and you can order kit refills from us too. Have a browse of our extensive range of quality first aid kits for your car, home and work and know that you’ve got the safety and wellbeing of your loved ones sorted!
Car & Vehicle First Aid Kits
Roadside-ready kits for everyday drivers, tradies, heavy vehicles, and 4WD adventurers staying ahead of car maintenance.
